2011 IGSMA State Festival
Congratulations to the McCracken Middle School Symphonic Band for their outstanding performance at the 2011 Illinois Grade School Music Association State Festival Friday night. The Symphonic Band was given special recognition by IGSMA by being selected as an “honors” ensemble at our contest site. McCracken was extremely well represent at State with the 7th Grade Singers and McCracken Swing Choir also receiving the “honors” recognition.
Great job everyone!!!
Posted: April 30, 2011 | PermaLink
In Memorium: Mark Rymer
Mark Rymer, Band Director at Zion-Benton Township High School, passed away suddenly this week. Our thoughts and prayers are with his young family during this truly difficult time.
Mark Christian Rymer, 34, passed away suddenly at his home on Monday, April 25, 2011.
Mark was born March 7, 1977 in Waukegan, IL. He attended Zion Elementary Schools where his interests in sports and music were realized along with academic honors. Mark was a student of piano at Zion Conservatory Of Music throughout grade school and high school. At Zion-Benton Township High School (Z-B) he was a 3-sport athlete (golf, basketball, and baseball) and honed his musical skills which prepared him for a Northern Illinois University Music Education Major, graduating in 2000. While at Northern Illinois he was active in Phi Mu Alpha Music Fraternity. He was a music educator/band director at Lake Bluff Elementary School then became Director of Bands at Zion-Benton Township High School. In 2009 he earned his Masters Degree in Music Education at Vandercook School Of Music in Chicago.
He was a charter member, officer, and musically involved in Zion’s Full Score Orchestra as well as church music at First United Methodist Church of Waukegan in trumpet and vocal work. [more]
Posted: April 28, 2011 | PermaLink
IGSMA State Festival Performance Times
We just received our contest site assignments from the IGSMA State Office. The McCracken Middle School Symphonic Band and Choirs will be performing Friday, April 29 at Grayslake Middle School, Grayslake, Illinois.
The Symphonic Band performs at 4:00p. 7th Grade Singers, 5:40p. 8th Grade Singers 6:50p. and McCracken Swing Choir 8:20p.
Posted: April 4, 2011 | PermaLink
Updates to commission project including links to recordings
http://www.mccrackenband.com/about/commission.shtml
Posted: April 1, 2011 | PermaLink
2011 Superstate
Congratulations to the McCracken Middle School Symphonic Band for their 9th consecutive invitation to the University of Illinois Superstate Concert Band Festival. Lot’s of work to do, get practicing!
More info (performance times, etc…) when we have it.
Dear Chip,
On behalf of the University of Illinois Bands faculty and staff, I would like to extend my most sincere CONGRATULATIONS on your invitation to participate at the 2011 SuperState Band Festival! You are to be commended for this outstanding achievement and the level of performance demonstrated by your ensemble. As you are well aware the University of Illinois Superstate Band Festival is the premiere concert event of its type in the state of Illinois. This tradition continues because of the diligent and artistic music education occurring under your direction. Because of your hard work you exemplify the highest quality of music education in our state.
Please take a moment to carefully read all of the information in the GENERAL INFORMATION AND PROCEDURES attachment. In addition, detailed instructions regarding the 2011 SuperState Festival can also be found on our website at www.bands.illinois.edu. It is imperative that you follow all of the instructions and meet all deadlines.
We wish you the very best of luck as you prepare for this important performance at the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts during the weekend of May 6th and 7th, 2011 for our world-class panel of adjudicators which includes, Gary Green, Craig Kirchhoff, Evan Feldman and John Whitwell. More information about our adjudicators can also be found on the UI Bands website.
Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions. I can be reached at 217-333-3025 (office) or by email: aramirz@illinois.edu.
An official letter of invitation will also be mailed to you at your school’s address. We look forward to hosting you on the University of Illinois campus in May.
Best regards,
Abel S. Ramirez, DMA
(3 attachments)
Abel S. Ramirez, SuperState Festival Coordinator
Assistant Director of Bands
Associate Professor of Music
University of Illinois School of Music
Posted: April 1, 2011 | PermaLink